Iscape almost pay the penalty!

Another terrific game of football despite the lack of goals following the last two weeks which have seen 18 goals. Iscape won 2 - 1 after an almighty scare having dominated the first half and can thank the addition of 2 players from another team for having a full side out with Matt C out with a cold and Matt I out with a bad back.

The major talking point was provided midway through the second half with the score 2 - 1 and Iscape under pressure. Over the years we've listened to Kev, that's Kevin Trill of Wimborne, tell us it was almost impossible to miss a penalty and that he had not missed after all these years. Well, that has all changed! Not only did he miss, not only did the keeper not have to save it, he hit it so far over the other team actually accused him of time wasting so far into the distance did it go. We all laughed sympathetically.

The first half was excellent with their keeper doing agreat job of stopping us going further and further ahead. I opened the scoring with a neat right foot finish and Dave added soon after with a storming shot high into the corner of the goal as Kev screamed for the pass inside. Two up at half time was meagre reward for our dominance when we never looked in trouble.

The second half was very different and we were under pressure constantly but mainly from long distance shots. Failure to get a tackle in saw one goal pulled back but we held on. The penalty could have been crucial but at least it didn't cost us anything as Kev blazed Japp Stam like over the bar.

Hen Kev Dom Dougie Guest 1 Guest 2 Iain Dave

Scorers Iain 1 Dave 1

Season's total - Matt C 1 Dom 1 Kev 2 Iain 4 Dave 5 and one other I've mislaid - Matt again?
I'm sure someone will claim it.

Science Museum

We went up to London yesterday taking the coach to visit the Science Museum and then the Natural History Museum.

Nine goal thriller in arctic Wimborne

Iscape are the team to watch at the moment in terms of entertainment despite being on the losing side in a 5 - 4 extravagnaza. That is despite the freezing conditions which saw a strong wind whipping the length of the pitch and affecting the direction of the game in a classic 'game of two halves'. It really was 'cold' cold with no surprises when David turned up in gloves complaining of 'man-flu.' Naturally he went on to open the scoring with a left footed shot whic wrong-footed the keepr. This goal was his fourth of the campaign and reflected the strong start made by Iscape against a good side with 3 wins from their 3 games so far.

The opposition keeper soon hacked a clearnace under pressure straight to Kevin who slotted coolly home to double his tally for the season. That became 3 goals when he passed the ball into the far corner latching onto a through ball. There were decent chances to stretch further ahead but half time came with the score 3 - 0.

Within 5 minutes of the restart it was 3 - 3! We were cut to ribbons as they poured forward in an all or nothing burst. The goals were all well taken but in the midst of them Henry pulled of what can only be described as a truly world class save. For once that is no exageration. It was almsot exactly like the one by Gordon Banks in 1970 but even better. The cross from their left was met on the volley and deserved a goal for technique but, despite going the wrong way, Henry fell to his right and extended an arm which not only stopped the ball but pushed it over the bar. It was outstanding.

Contorversy followed as we fell behind to a penalty. The keeper kicked the ball out instead of rolling it and Matt was left confronting a striker who flicked the ball up toward Matt's face. Instinctively he put his arm up and handled. He didn't quite catch the ball but it was close. As the ref strode forward Matt stepped outside the box but to no avail. Penalty neatly tucked away.

We weren't finished though and from a corner on the left, Kev smacked the ball straight into the goal. Astonishingly the ref didn't give it though. He was unsighted as the ball rebounded off the side bar and out. In the mayhem that followed we fell 5 - 3 behind before I tucked a left foot finish home. There were other chances that followed with a near post effort from Darren I standning in for Matt I, saved low down and pushed out for a final corner.

The final whistle left us feeling disappointed with thte result but pleased with the perfomance which demonstrated the improved competitiveness we have.

Goals

Dave 1 (4) Kev 2 (3) Iain 1 (3)

Team

Hen Matt C Dom Kev Darren Dave Iain

Sunday Morning

Having walked the dogs, I took off to the gym this morning and had a four and bit mile run before cycling to Potterne, then to Moors Valley and right back round to Verwood again passing the Ebblake Industrial Estate.

It was lovely morning but cold and there weren't many people about surprisingly after all the rain we've had of late.

Walking the dog

At alst the sun has come out and I took the dogs for a good long walk today whilst listening to Five Live covering the thrilling 0 - 0 between Portsmouth and Charlton (that's the score at the moment anyway). Good to see Liverpool record a win at last against one of the top sides in the Premiership but to top that, Plymouth are on Sky on Monday although Iscape have a game which will mean missing the first half.

As the pictures show, the normal trickling stream has filled up with the recent rain. I didn't push the dog in despite the temptation.

Glory Days

The first post Christmas/New Year game for Iscape revealed the festivities had done nothing to harm the natural athleticism of the team after a thrilling 5 - 4 victory in the wet rain (several players referred to it in this manner) and a blustery wind. Despite the conditions, or perhaps because, we played with flair and imagination and managed to carry that over from the kick around to the pitch for at least 75% of the game, just a 10 minute lapse costing us dear as half time approached.

Goals, goals, goals, goals!!!! When did we last score 5? (in one match) Dave smashed home from near the half way line as the goalkeeper misjudged the cross, distracted, I like to think, by my speedy run across the box.

We were soon two up as the ball was cleared to the edge of the D where I took the ball down and thundered in a low shot which to be fair hit the defender on the line and powered back to the keeper who juggled with it and spilled the ball over the line. I am claiming the goal and EVERYONE agreed after the game it was mine.

In the same spirit, the third goal was Kev's as he fizzed a corner low into the box and saw it rammed home by a defender. Sadly in the meantime we'd let in two goals (three of their four goals came when we had a corner or attacking throw and might indicate our difficulty with running to keep up with players on the break). It got pretty messy for a 10 minute spell with passes going astray and the wrong choices being made.

Even at 3 - 2 the drama did not stop. Another equalizer followed before we looked to have put the game to bed. A mazy run down the right in which I beat 3 defenders left Kev with the freedom of the right wing and he cut inside to the box before unerringly slotting the ball across the area to an onrushing Dave to hit home from a yard. I then received the benefit of more assistance from the keeper as he struggled to get down to a skimming left foot shot. I like to belive it roared into the onion bag like a steroid addicted lion but the others might say it trickled under the keeper as he dived over the ball. Nevertheless, Matt was kind enough to say I deserved the goal but I don't think he knew I was claiming the first one!

Simon performed heroics heading clear from a corner, the rain whipping off his head like a slugged boxer moments before hitting the canvas. But the big guy was not down and also managed to cover for Kev when he called for a header before revealing, 'No - it's over me.' You can't buy teamwork like that.

A late goal meant tense final minute but it was soon over as Kev managed to sneak a little handball in the area past our favourite ref, Gary. He'll be attending our Christmas do next year at this rate as he loves Iscape.

I ought to mention the previous game. Dave scored one of the three and is top scorer with 3 goals now. Dom blasted in with the last kick of the game to claim a dramatic point in the 3 - 3 draw amd Matt scored with an amzing piece of trickery at the near post. It was a realy fantastic goal apparently and is probably on You Tube or as this is Iscape that might be You Tub.

Glen's team won in the cup again the weekend too. Their quarter final against Dorchester saw them a goal down at half time but emerge 3 - 1 winners. Cup glory beckons as the move to the semi finals thanks to goals from Eric, Dan and Jordan.

A Monday Morning

Looks as though I'm going to have to spend three hours in inclusion today as a number of staff are away which means I will be able to get a good deal of planning and marking done. At the same time I thought I'd just jot down my day so far.

Arrived at 7.00 and distributed information to Year Leaders about problems in school from Friday and updated records about exclusion of Year 11 boy from Friday. Updated records about students sent out of class last week and those in inclusion.

Spoke with Assistant Head about proposed changes to school timetable required to enable us to provide enrichment opportunities whilst giving staff enough time for their lessons if they involve practical work e.g. Science and Food Tech. There are pros and cons to the different proposals and staff seem completely divided based on how their subject will be affected. However, we have to make a decision this week with option choices having to be made by Year 9 soon.

Spoke with Head about problem on Friday and discussed post exclusion meeting happening later this morning.

I was asked to go to class and remove a girl who has to have continual support as she has a number of emotional problems and could harm herself. She had refused to go where asked preferring to remain in class. I spoke to her and took her to correct location.

Met briefly with Learning Mentor and discussed Year 11 students on C/D border.

Spoke with Year 11 student who has been out of school for some time while police investigation carried out. On bail presently but is unable to go to class as the allegations involve other students.

Telephone call with parent about her son and his exclusion. Letters sent about detentions later this week, 39 of them. Information passed to Year Leaders to pass on.

Taught lesson to Year 11 working on coursework and giving some of them the opportunity to write a media response to 'Saving Private Ryan'.

Seen by students on report to have them signed. Kept one of them in over break as he had altered the numbers on his report so they were higher.

Asked to move the same girl back to new building as she had walked off during lesson 2. Successfully negotiated. Attendance officer asked for advice and help with Year 9 student refusing to come into school. Also a Year 11 boy who had gone home because the school nurse had sent him home unwell or at least that is what he'd told his father. The school nurse doesn't work on Monday!

Researching differing models of organisation in schools to try and find aternative solutions to timetable difficulties. How much effort should we be putting into this when the school's closing in just over a year? How imaginative should we be? Some schools have compulsory after school sessions! How would that work?

Worked on NPQH. Looking at one of the modules for the personal learning.

Now it's lunchtime. Off to the canteen wth the 2 Year 8 lads in inclusion having returned from exclusion.

Another cracking game of cup football.

Glen's team had a replay yesterday afternoon against Poole having drawn 2 apiece at home before Chrsitmas amidst quite a bit of controversy. The game went off without any problems this time but it was exciting throughout and a real peasure to watch.

Rossgarth took the elad early on as they were backed by a strong wind but then conceded before half time to give the home team the advantage. They scored again early in the second half and looked to be on the way out when, literally with the last kick of normal time, Eric bundled the ball over the line to take the game into extra time.

There were two quick goals for Rossgarth with eric completing his hat trick and Dan scoring one. That wasn't it though and Poole fought back in the second period of extra time to leave just the one goal and great tension on the sidelines. With seconds to go Glen an down the wing on a speedy run (just like his dad) and beat player after player before winning a throw from which scored the clincher leaving them 5 - 3 winners and boy were they excited as they came off the pitch.

Best game of football I've watched for a long time and it makes a nice change to the league where they have yet to win a point.

Christmas in Yorkshire

We spent Christmas in Yorkshire (hence the title of this post) for our first time away from home at that time of year for 14 years. As you can see it was a busy Christmas morning with lots of present opening. I apologise to Georgina and Stuart but I couldn't resist putting their pictures on the site.

The third photo is of us in Castleford at an indoor ski slope with real snow. It is called Xscape and was a real surprise after the slope at Hurn which is outdoor and looks just like rope. Glen went as part of his presnt from his aunt and uncle and had a great time snowboarding. Having been useless at first he really got the hang of it and is keen to go again soon.